Manhattan Rain Stakes A Strong Claim

Manhattan Rain has equalled some leading sires with his record of stakeswinners in 2014-15.

Manhattan Rain has joined champion stallions Redoute’s Choice and Fastnet Rock by producing four stakes winners from the draft of yearlings he had entered for the 2013 Easter Sale.

From an offering of only 20 yearlings Manhattan Rain has so far produced G2 winner Moonovermanhattan ($100,000; bought by Dermot Farrington; trained by Mick Price); Listed winner Manapine ($200,000; Badger's Bloodstock/Nigel Blackiston); Listed winner and Group placed Crafty ($150,000; David Redvers/Robert Smerdon); and Listed winner Ondina (passed in $70,000; bought by Star Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions National Sale).

From an offering of 32 lots Redoute's Choice is the sire of G1 winners Hampton Court (purchased for $500,000 by John Warren) and Majmu ($300,000; Shadwell Australia), as well as the Group-winning colts Panzer Division and Scissor Kick, both bought by Paul Messara for $150,000 & $200,000 respectively.

From 47 lots offered Fastnet Rock has four stakes-winning graduates - G1 winner Magicool ($250,000; Mark Kavanagh), Group winners Zululand ($1.5 million; Tom Magnier), Petrology ($200,000; Lindsay Park Bloodstock) and Lumosty ($185,000; Flemington Bloodstock).

Next on the list behind this trio is More Than Ready, sire of Group winner Nayeli and Listed winner Banaadeer from the 2013 Easter Sale.

Crafty has retired to stud in Europe where she has been mated with Frankel, but Moonovermanhattan, Manapine and Ondina stay in training for the new season.

Magic Millions graduate Wild Rain has a fine chance of joining them as Manhattan Rain's fifth stakeswinner in Saturday's Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes at Morphettville.